First Photo: Jennifer Lawrence Turns Brunette for 'The Hunger Games'

The cover of Entertainment Weekly's May issue has given the first look at the 'Winter's Bone' star as she takes the role of Katniss Everdeen in the movie adaptation of Suzanne Collins' trilogy.

The question of how Jennifer Lawrence will look like in "The Hunger Games" has been met with answer. Entertainment Weekly (EW) has released a first look at the Oscar-nominated actress as Katniss Everdeen. On the cover of the magazine's May issue, the 20-year-old sports brown locks with Katniss' signature pin, the Mockingjay, adorning her jacket.

Speaking of her reaction upon being offered the role, the Ree Dolly of "Winter's Bone" told EW, "I knew that as soon as I said yes, my life would change." She continued to share, "And I walked around an entire day thinking 'It's not too late, I could still go back and do indies, I haven't said yes yet, it's not too late.' "

During the interview, Jennifer also recalled her first meeting with director Gary Ross during last year's awards season. "He was asking me what the experience was like," she said, "and I just kind of opened up and said, 'I feel like a rag doll. I have hair and makeup people coming to my house every day and putting me in new, uncomfortable, weird dresses and expensive shoes, and I just shut down and raise my arms up for them to get the dress on, and pout my lips when they need to put the lipstick on.' "

"And we both started laughing because that's exactly what it's like for Katniss in the Capitol," she added. "She was a girl who's all of a sudden being introduced to fame. I know what that feels like to have all this flurry around you and feel like, 'Oh, no, I don't belong here.' " When asked about her reason for taking the role, she admitted, "I love this story, and if I had said no, I would regret it every day."

"The Hunger Games" follows 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen who lives with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, in the apocalyptic America. When her sister is chosen by lottery to participate in a fight-to-the-death annual event called the Hunger Games, she steps up to go in her place.

This adaptation of Suzanne Collins' best-selling trilogy has Billy Ray penning the script and Nina Jacobson serving as the producer. Lionsgate Films aims to release it in theaters across the United States on March 23, 2012.